This poem was written by African American poet Langston Hughes in June of
1940 during the Harlem Renaissance. Langston was different from other black
poets in that he told stories that reflect his people's culture. In this poem, he addresses
the importance of non-discriminating unity and connects idea to nature(Academy of American Poets).
During these period, Hughes started writing poems in universities and also joined the American Peace Mobilization. He
also began to write for movies, but these hopes were ended due to racial discrimination
in the industry (Langston Hughes). These factors may have influenced his poetry.
When I get to be a composer
I'm gonna write me some music about Daybreak in Alabama
And I'm gonna put the purtiest songs in it
Rising out of the ground like a swamp mist
And falling out of heaven like soft dew.
-Langston Hughes
Analysis
Hughes says that he wants to be a composer of a song of where
people of all races can come together and participate in this "song".
He uses the term song because its is a from of art, like poetry. He makes
reference to nature in the beginning of the poem, and then in people of different ethnicity,
to show that diversity isn't a problem in nature. We should work together just
as the "tall trees" and "pine needles" do. Langston shows how different species
like trees and swamps live in a harmonious nature, suggesting that we should be the same. Human beings,
no matter how diverse, are all part of Earth.
Marcos M.
Daybreak in Alabama
Introduction
This poem was written by African American poet Langston Hughes in June of
1940 during the Harlem Renaissance. Langston was different from other black
poets in that he told stories that reflect his people's culture. In this poem, he addresses
the importance of non-discriminating unity and connects idea to nature(Academy of American Poets).
During these period, Hughes started writing poems in universities and also joined the American Peace Mobilization. He
also began to write for movies, but these hopes were ended due to racial discrimination
in the industry (Langston Hughes). These factors may have influenced his poetry.
Excerpt from "Daybreak in Alabama"
When I get to be a composer
I'm gonna write me some music about
Daybreak in Alabama
And I'm gonna put the purtiest songs in it
Rising out of the ground like a swamp mist
And falling out of heaven like soft dew.
-Langston Hughes
Analysis
Hughes says that he wants to be a composer of a song of where
people of all races can come together and participate in this "song".
He uses the term song because its is a from of art, like poetry. He makes
reference to nature in the beginning of the poem, and then in people of different ethnicity,
to show that diversity isn't a problem in nature. We should work together just
as the "tall trees" and "pine needles" do. Langston shows how different species
like trees and swamps live in a harmonious nature, suggesting that we should be the same. Human beings,
no matter how diverse, are all part of Earth.
Bibliography
"American Peace Mobilization." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 21 Nov 2008, 17:25 UTC. 20 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Peace_Mobilization&oldid=253222846>.
Hughes, Langston. "Daybreak in Alabama". Poem Hunter. May 15, 2008.
<http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/langston-hughes/daybreak-in-alabama/ >
"Langston Hughes." Academy of American Poets. Poets.org.19 May 2009. <http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83>.
"Langston Hughes." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 18 May 2009, 23:10 UTC. 19 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes>Langston Hughes, "Daybreak in Alabama"
Marcos Montalvo